Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

SEACAR Habitat Analyses

Threshold Filtering

Threshold filters, following the guidance of Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) are used to exclude specific results values from the SEACAR Analysis. Based on the threshold filters, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) Flags are inserted into the SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode and SEACAR_QAQC_Description columns of the export data. The Include column indicates whether the QAQC Flag will also indicate that data are excluded from analysis. No data are excluded from the data export, but the analysis scripts can use the Include column to exclude data (1 to include, 0 to exclude).

Continuous Water Quality threshold values

Parameter Name	Units	Low Threshold	High Threshold	Sensor Type
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0	50	YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0	50	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0	50	6600 Series
Salinity	ppt	0	70	6600 Series
Salinity	ppt	0	70	YSI EXOs
Salinity	ppt	0	70	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature	Degrees C	-5	45	YSI EXOs
Water Temperature	Degrees C	-5	45	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature	Degrees C	-5	45	6600 Series
pH	pH	2	14	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
pH	pH	2	14	6600 Series
pH	pH	2	14	YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0	500	YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0	500	6600 Series
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0	500	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Specific Conductivity	mS/cm	0	100	6600 Series
Specific Conductivity	mS/cm	0	200	YSI EXOs
Turbidity	NTU	0	4000	YSI EXOs
Turbidity	NTU	0	1000	6600 Series
Turbidity	NTU	0	4000	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04

Discrete Water Quality threshold values

Parameter Name	Units	Low Threshold	High Threshold
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0.000001	22
Salinity	ppt	0	70
Water Temperature	Degrees C	3	40
pH		2	13
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0.000001	310
Specific Conductivity	mS/cm	0.005000001	100
Turbidity	NTU	0	-
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)	mg/L	0	-
Chlorophyll a uncorrected for pheophytin	ug/L	0	-
Chlorophyll a corrected for pheophytin	ug/L	0	-
Secchi Depth	m	0.000001	50
Light Extinction Coefficient	m^1	0	-
Colored dissolved organic matter, CDOM	PCU	0	-
Fluorescent dissolved organic matter, FDOM	QSE	0	-
Total Nitrogen	mg/L	0	-
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen TKN	mg/L	0	-
NO2+3 Filtered	mg/L	0	-
NH4 Filtered	mg/L	0	-
Total Phosphorus	mg/L	0	-
PO4 Filtered	mg/L	0	-
Ammonia- Un-ionized (NH3)	mg/L	0	-
Nitrate (N)	mg/L	0	-
Nitrite (N)	mg/L	0	-
Nitrogen, organic	mg/L	0	-

Quality Assurance Flags inserted based on threshold checks listed in Table 1 & 2

SEACAR QAQC Description	Include	SEACAR QAQCFlagCode
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Not verified in raw data	No	2Q
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Verified in raw data	No	3Q
Below Minimum threshold. Not verified in raw data	No	4Q
Below Minimum threshold. Verified in raw data	No	5Q
Within threshold tolerance	Yes	6Q
No defined thresholds for this parameter	Yes	7Q

Value Qualifiers

Value qualifier codes included within the data are used to exclude certain results from the analysis. The data are retained in the data export files, but the analysis uses the Include column to filter the results.

STORET and WIN value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from STORET and WIN data are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports.

Value Qualifier codes excluded from analysis

Qualifier Source	Value Qualifier	Include	MDL	Description
STORET-WIN	H	No	0	Value based on field kit determination; results may not be accurate
STORET-WIN	J	No	0	Estimated value
STORET-WIN	V	No	0	Analyte was detected at or above method detection limit
STORET-WIN	Y	No	0

Discrete Water Quality Value Qualifiers

The following value qualifiers are highlighted in the Discrete Water Quality section of this report. An exception is made for Program 476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network and data flagged with Value Qualifier H are included for this program only.

H - Value based on field kit determiniation; results may not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.

I - The reported value is greater than or equal to the laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit.

Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or analysis.

S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk measurement.

U - Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be the laboratory method detection limit. Unless requested by the client, less than the method detection limit values shall not be reported

Systemwide Monitoring Program (SWMP) value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from the SWMP continuous program are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports. SWMP Qualifier Codes are indicated by QualifierSource=SWMP.

SWMP Value Qualifier codes

Qualifier Source	Value Qualifier	Include	Description
SWMP	-1	Yes	Optional parameter not collected
SWMP	-2	No	Missing data
SWMP	-3	No	Data rejected due to QA/QC
SWMP	-4	No	Outside low sensor range
SWMP	-5	No	Outside high sensor range
SWMP	0	Yes	Passed initial QA/QC checks
SWMP	1	No	Suspect data
SWMP	2	Yes	Reserved for future use
SWMP	3	Yes
SWMP	4	Yes	Historical: Pre-auto QA/QC
SWMP	5	Yes	Corrected data

Water Column

The water column habitat extends from the surface of all water bodies to the bottom sediments and encompasses the different features found in the water at different depths (National Oceanographic Center, 2016). The water column habitat must be viewed in relation to its interconnectedness with other habitats. A healthy water column is an integral component in ensuring a healthy marine and coastal ecosystem. Having a flourishing marine and coastal ecosystem in Florida is necessary to support a strong economy. The health of the water column is dependent upon factors as diverse as land use (e.g., agriculture, mining, forestry practices); human population growth; emissions, (e.g., power plants, automobiles, wastewater); climate (e.g., rainfall, temperature, winds and currents); and decadal trends (e.g., El Niño/La Niña, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, climate change).

The water column is composed of various physical, chemical and biological features, and only a small number of them are adequately monitored. Features of the water column that are monitored are used as indicators of the water column health and help assess the status of other habitats. These indicators include nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus); water quality (dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and pH); water clarity (Secchi depth, turbidity, chlorophyll-a and colored dissolved organic matter); and nekton (fish, macroinvertebrates and megafauna).

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Analysis

Indicators must have a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the habitat, of data within the geographic range of the analysis to be included in the analysis. Ten years of data are required for discrete parameters, and five years of data are required for continuous parameters. If there are insufficient years of data, the number of years of data available will be noted and labeled as “insufficient data to conduct analysis”. Further, for the preferred Seasonal Kendall-Tau test, there must be data from at least two months in common across at least two consecutive years within the RCP managed area being analyzed. Values that pass both of these tests will be included in the analysis and be labeled as Use_In_Analysis = TRUE. Any that fail either test will be excluded from the analyses and labeled as Use_In_Analysis = FALSE.

Water Quality - Discrete

The following files were used in the discrete analysis:

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_corrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_uncorrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Colored_dissolved_organic_matter_CDOM-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_pH-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Salinity-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Secchi_Depth-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Nitrogen-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Phosphorus-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Suspended_Solids_TSS-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Turbidity-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Water_Temperature-2024-Feb-22.txt

Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Chlorophyll-a is monitored as a measure of microalgae growing in the water. Algae are a natural part of coastal and aquatic ecosystems but in excess can cause poor water quality and clarity, and decreased levels of dissolved oxygen.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	1865	2004	2023
514	119	2020	2023

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin

Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
2004	2					2	100.0
2005	120	11	9.2	14	11.7	87	72.5
2006	62			5	8.1	61	98.4
2010	53	23	43.4	1	1.9	24	45.3
2011	21	11	52.4
2013	67	1	1.5			54	80.6
2014	79					61	77.2
2015	110	9	8.2	7	6.4	66	60.0
2016	171	25	14.6			121	70.8
2017	89	19	21.4	2	2.2	67	75.3
2018	2	1	50.0
2019	4	1	25.0			3	75.0
2020	544	307	56.4	7	1.3	41	7.5
2021	470	364	77.4	1	0.2	36	7.7
2022	123	30	24.4			93	75.6
2023	67	5	7.5			61	91.0

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time ³U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program

Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
297	14986	1995	2021
5002	3074	1998	2023
509	1418	1989	2008
514	541	2001	2023
103	140	2000	2021
115	28	2000	2004
118	19	2000	2006

Program names:

297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin

Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
2005	779			4	0.5	23	3.0
2010	724	22	3.0	1	0.1	22	3.0
2013	500	6	1.2			34	6.8
2014	510					48	9.4
2015	646	11	1.7	7	1.1	48	7.4
2016	1013	26	2.6			106	10.5
2017	968	17	1.8	4	0.4	74	7.6
2018	891					3	0.3
2019	608	3	0.5			2	0.3
2020	933	13	1.4	7	0.8	46	4.9
2021	566	28	5.0	1	0.2	40	7.1
2022	123	21	17.1			101	82.1
2023	67	2	3.0			61	91.0

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time ³U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project

Colored Dissolved Organic Matter - Discrete Water Quality

Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) occurs naturally in every water body. It is made up of mainly plant material, algae and bacteria. The composition is determined by its source; plants, soil, algae, and wastewater are common sources.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Colored Dissolved Organic Matter

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Colored Dissolved Organic Matter

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
514	972	2001	2023

Program names:

514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Colored Dissolved Organic Matter

Year	N_Total	N_Q	perc_Q
2019	21	3	14.3
2020	9	9	100.0
2021	10	10	100.0
2022	9	9	100.0
2023	9	9	100.0

Note: ¹Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program

Dissolved Oxygen - Discrete Water Quality

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is a key indicator of water quality. Oxygen enters surface waters by air-sea gas exchange, by wind action, or as a byproduct of aquatic plant photosynthesis. The actual quantity of DO in aquatic environments is dependent on the above processes as well as water temperature and salinity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
297	31133	1995	2021
5002	4458	2003	2023
509	2701	1989	2008
69	1731	1997	2009
95	1560	1994	2018
4049	961	2006	2022
60	798	1987	2016
103	507	1970	2021
3000	377	2015	2018
899	93	2014	2015
115	76	2000	2004
4057	59	2015	2018
102	42	1996	2000
118	17	2000	2006

Program names:

297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
4049 - The South Florida Fisheries Habitat Assessment Program (FHAP)
60 - Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) - Gulf of Mexico Fall & Summer Shrimp/Groundfish Survey
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
3000 - Florida Keys Water Watch
899 - USGS Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST) Project
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
4057 - Biscayne Bay Water Watch
102 - National Status and Trends Mussel Watch
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
297	25419	1995	2020
5002	3178	2009	2023
102	18	1996	1996
95	1	2017	2017

Program names:

297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
102 - National Status and Trends Mussel Watch
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

pH - Discrete Water Quality

The pH of water is the measure of how acidic or basic the water body is on a scale of 0-14, with lower readings indicating acidic and higher readings indicating basic, and a pH of 7 being neutral. Florida’s natural waters fall between 6.5 and 8.5 on this scale. A water body’s pH can change due to precipitation, geology, vegetation, water pollution and air pollution.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for pH

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for pH

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	4565	2003	2023
69	1721	1997	2009
4049	1040	2005	2022
509	545	2002	2008
3000	377	2015	2018
95	142	1994	2018
899	88	2014	2015
103	85	1970	2021
115	76	2000	2004
4057	59	2015	2018
297	36	2003	2011
3	21	2009	2012

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
4049 - The South Florida Fisheries Habitat Assessment Program (FHAP)
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
3000 - Florida Keys Water Watch
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
899 - USGS Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST) Project
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
4057 - Biscayne Bay Water Watch
297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project
3 - Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) South Florida Program Synoptic Shipboard Surveys

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for pH in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Salinity - Discrete Water Quality

Salinity is a measure of the amount of salt in the water. In estuarine ecosystems, salinity is influenced by precipitation, evaporation, surface-water inputs, and exchange with coastal waters.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Salinity

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Salinity

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
297	30806	1995	2021
5002	4557	2003	2023
3	3864	1998	2022
509	2581	1989	2008
965	2317	2005	2011
95	1889	1955	2018
69	1729	1997	2009
62	1142	1993	2019
4049	1105	2005	2022
60	798	1987	2016
3000	379	2015	2018
118	109	2015	2021
899	82	2014	2015
115	76	2000	2004
102	60	1996	2000
4057	59	2015	2018

Program names:

297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
3 - Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) South Florida Program Synoptic Shipboard Surveys
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
965 - South Florida Seagrass Fish and Invertebrate Assessment Network
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
62 - Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) - Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Survey
4049 - The South Florida Fisheries Habitat Assessment Program (FHAP)
60 - Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) - Gulf of Mexico Fall & Summer Shrimp/Groundfish Survey
3000 - Florida Keys Water Watch
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment
899 - USGS Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST) Project
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
102 - National Status and Trends Mussel Watch
4057 - Biscayne Bay Water Watch

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Salinity in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Secchi Depth - Discrete Water Quality

Secchi depth is a measure of the transparency or clarity of the water by a device called a Secchi disk. A Secchi disk is a black and white disk that is lowered into the water on a cord. The Secchi depth is the depth at which the disk can no longer be seen. The deeper the Secchi depth, the greater the water clarity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Secchi Depth

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Secchi Depth

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
514	2369	1998	2023
69	1738	1997	2009
3000	373	2015	2018
5002	340	2005	2022
4049	294	2005	2022
60	30	1996	2010
115	21	2000	2004

Program names:

514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
3000 - Florida Keys Water Watch
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
4049 - The South Florida Fisheries Habitat Assessment Program (FHAP)
60 - Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) - Gulf of Mexico Fall & Summer Shrimp/Groundfish Survey
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Secchi Depth

Year	N_Total	N_S	perc_S
2015	210	27	12.9
2016	341	66	19.4
2017	214	73	34.1
2019	39	6	15.4
2020	43	18	41.9
2021	47	26	55.3
2022	85	48	56.5
2023	28	13	46.4

Note: ¹S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Total Nitrogen - Discrete Water Quality

Nitrogen and Phosphorous are key nutrients that provide nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of aquatic plants and animals; however, excess nutrients can cause harmful algal blooms and other water quality concerns. Nutrients enter water bodies several ways, including runoff from rain events and atmospheric deposition from natural and industrial sources.

Total Nitrogen Calculation:

The logic for calculated Total Nitrogen was provided by Kevin O’Donnell and colleagues at FDEP (with the help of Jay Silvanima, Watershed Monitoring Section). The following logic is used, in this order, based on the availability of specific nitrogen components.

1. TN = TKN + NO3O2;
2. TN = TKN + NO3 + NO2;
3. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3O2;
4. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO2 + NO3;
5. TN = TKN + NO3;
6. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3;

Additional Information:

• Rules for use of sample fraction:
  • FDEP report that if both “Total” and “Dissolved” are reported, only “Total” is used. If the total is not reported, they do use dissolved as a best available replacement.
  • An analysis of all SEACAR data shows that 90% of all possible TN calculations can be done using nitrogen components with the same sample fraction, rather than use nitrogen components with mixed total/dissolved sample fractions. In other words, TN can be calculated when TKN and NO3O2 are both total sample fraction, or when both are dissolved sample fraction. This is important, because then the calculated TN value is not based on components with mixed sample fractions.
• Values inserted into data:
  • ParameterName = “Total Nitrogen”
  • SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode = “1Q”
  • SEACAR_QAQC_Description = “SEACAR Calculated”
    Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
    
    Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Nitrogen
    
    The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Nitrogen

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
297	24805	1995	2021
5002	4582	1998	2023
514	2756	1998	2023
509	1424	1989	2008
103	136	2000	2006
115	28	2000	2004

Program names:

297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Total Nitrogen

Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
2005	1439	22	1.5
2006	1406	86	6.1			1	0.1
2014	832			14	1.7
2015	1062	160	15.1	7	0.7	6	0.6
2016	1630	617	37.9	36	2.2	4	0.2
2017	1487	644	43.3	60	4.0
2018	1419	601	42.4	31	2.2
2019	1145	477	41.7	24	2.1	39	3.4
2020	2090	696	33.3	61	2.9	18	0.9
2021	1212	495	40.8			125	10.3

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time ³U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program

Total Phosphorus - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Phosphorus

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Phosphorus

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
297	24832	1995	2021
514	2764	1998	2023
5002	1898	2005	2023
509	1425	1989	2008
103	182	1970	2021
115	28	2000	2004

Program names:

297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Total Phosphorus

Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
2005	1232	28	2.3			116	9.4
2006	1134	12	1.1			48	4.2
2010	1097	76	6.9			34	3.1
2011	966	19	2.0			11	1.1
2012	764	1	0.1			20	2.6
2013	747	1	0.1			6	0.8
2015	950	8	0.8
2016	1515	43	2.8			3	0.2
2017	1484	71	4.8	3	0.2	1	0.1
2018	1419	1	0.1	24	1.7
2019	1171	6	0.5	3	0.3
2020	2164	88	4.1	30	1.4	496	22.9
2021	1271	116	9.1	2	0.2	408	32.1
2022	216	166	76.8			24	11.1
2023	97	52	53.6			36	37.1

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time ³U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project

Total Suspended Solids - Discrete Water Quality

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are solid particles suspended in water that exceed 2 microns in size and can be trapped by a filter.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Suspended Solids

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Suspended Solids

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	518	2007	2023
3	342	2001	2012
103	1	2020	2020

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
3 - Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) South Florida Program Synoptic Shipboard Surveys
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Total Suspended Solids

Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
2007	72	5	6.9
2008	69	1	1.4
2010	84	30	35.7
2014	15	2	13.3
2015	30	12	40.0			6	20.0
2016	82	40	48.8			36	43.9
2017	88	50	56.8	1	1.1	30	34.1
2020	4	3	75.0
2021	13	7	53.9
2022	35	20	57.1			15	42.9
2023	3	2	66.7			1	33.3

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time ³U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Turbidity - Discrete Water Quality

Turbidity results from suspended solids in the water, including silts, clays, tannins, industrial wastes, sewage and plankton, which are all factors that contribute to how clouded or murky a water column is. Turbidity is caused by soil erosion, excess nutrients, pollutants, and physical forces such as winds, currents and bottom feeders.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Turbidity

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Turbidity

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
297	25717	1995	2021
5002	1920	1994	2023
509	1404	1991	2008
965	1157	2005	2011
3000	370	2015	2018
103	61	2005	2021

Program names:

297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
965 - South Florida Seagrass Fish and Invertebrate Assessment Network
3000 - Florida Keys Water Watch
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

• N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
• N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
• perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Turbidity

Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
1995	743					7	0.9
1996	798					4	0.5
2003	1021	10	1.0
2004	1008	31	3.1
2005	1198	32	2.7
2006	1217	4	0.3
2007	1152	7	0.6
2008	1320	20	1.5
2009	1301	24	1.8
2010	1358	26	1.9	1	0.1
2011	1145	26	2.3
2012	755	25	3.3
2013	724	23	3.2			1	0.1
2014	1448	34	2.4
2015	1338	17	1.3
2016	1502	12	0.8
2017	1605	2	0.1	5	0.3
2020	1579	1	0.1	1	0.1
2021	870	7	0.8	1	0.1	1	0.1
2022	167	57	34.1	4	2.4
2023	76	30	39.5	2	2.6

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time ³U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Water Temperature - Discrete Water Quality

Temperature determines the capacity of water to hold oxygen. Cooler water can hold more dissolved oxygen because water molecules are more tightly packed, making it harder for oxygen to escape. Additionally, as water temperature increases, fish and other aquatic organisms become more active and consume oxygen at a faster rate.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Water Temperature

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Water Temperature

ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
297	30767	1995	2021
5002	4938	2003	2023
509	2591	1989	2008
965	2317	2005	2011
95	1956	1955	2018
69	1764	1997	2009
4049	1105	2005	2022
982	916	2014	2021
60	798	1987	2016
103	788	1970	2021
3	403	1998	2012
3000	374	2015	2018
899	85	2014	2015
115	76	2000	2004
4057	59	2015	2018
102	43	1996	2000

Program names:

297 - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Monitoring Project
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
965 - South Florida Seagrass Fish and Invertebrate Assessment Network
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
4049 - The South Florida Fisheries Habitat Assessment Program (FHAP)
982 - Florida Keys Bleach Watch
60 - Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) - Gulf of Mexico Fall & Summer Shrimp/Groundfish Survey
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
3 - Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) South Florida Program Synoptic Shipboard Surveys
3000 - Florida Keys Water Watch
899 - USGS Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST) Project
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
4057 - Biscayne Bay Water Watch
102 - National Status and Trends Mussel Watch

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Water Temperature in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Water Quality - Continuous

The following files were used in the continuous analysis:

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_SE-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation_SE-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_pH_SE-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Salinity_SE-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Turbidity_SE-2024-Feb-22.txt

• Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Water_Temperature_SE-2024-Feb-22.txt

Map showing Continuous Water Quality Monitoring sampling locations within the boundaries of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Sites marked as Use In Analysis are featured in this report.

Salinity - Continuous Water Quality

1B

Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) South Florida Program Moored Instrument Array (2)

Water Temperature - Continuous Water Quality

1B

Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) South Florida Program Moored Instrument Array (2)

KYWF1

National Data Buoy Center (5)

LONF1

National Data Buoy Center (5)

MLRF1

National Data Buoy Center (5)

SANF1

National Data Buoy Center (5)

SMKF1

National Data Buoy Center (5)

214

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

215

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

216

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

220

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

223

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

225

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

227

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

235

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

237

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

239

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

241

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

243

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

248

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

255

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

260

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

267

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

269

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

271

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

273

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

276

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

284

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

285

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

287

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

291

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

294

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

296

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

305

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

307

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

309

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

314

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

500

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

501

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

506

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

507

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

508

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

509

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

SB

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project (296)

Crocker

USGS Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST) Project (899)

Molasses

USGS Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST) Project (899)

Sombrero

USGS Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST) Project (899)

11

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

12

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

14

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

15

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

18

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

21

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

22

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

23

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

24

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

25

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

26

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

30

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

32

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

33

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

34

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

35

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

36

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

37

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

38

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

39

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

40

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

50

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

51

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

52

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

53

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

54

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

55

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

56

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

57

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

58

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

59

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

60

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

61

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

70

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

72

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

73

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

74

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

75

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

76

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

77

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

78

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

79

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

80

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

81

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

83

Water Temperature on Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys (986)

FKNMS_200YR_HD

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_7MILE_BR

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_9FT_SHOAL

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_ALLIGATOR

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_BHONDA_BR

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_BOCA_GRND

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_BULLARD

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_CARD_SND

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_CARYSFORT

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_DIEGO_TER

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_ELPIS

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_GRECIAN

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_HARBORKEY

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_HEN&CHIX

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_KW_CHANL

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_LONG_KEY

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_LOOE_BACK

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_LOOE_BUOY5

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_LOOE_ISELIN

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_MOLASSES

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_NEWGROUND

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_PILLAR

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_SAND_KEY

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_SMITH_SHL

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_SNAKE_CRK

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_SOMBRERO

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_SPRIGGER

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_TENN_REEF

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_WELLWOOD

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_WS_JACKYL

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

FKNMS_W_SAMBO

Continuous Bottom Temperature Measurements along the Florida Reef Tract (989)

All Stations Combined by Program

Continuous Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Water Temperature

Station	N_Data	N_Years	Period of Record	Median	tau	SennIntercept	SennSlope	p
1B	86204	6	2003 - 2008	26.38	0.26	25.73	0.16	0.0392

Continuous Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Water Temperature

Station	N_Data	N_Years	Period of Record	Median	tau	SennIntercept	SennSlope	p
KYWF1	1398505	19	2005 - 2023	27.6	0.32	26.67	0.08	0.0000
LONF1	205971	28	1992 - 2019	26.6	0.07	26.34	0.01	0.0825
MLRF1	256798	33	1987 - 2019	26.5	0.10	26.49	0.01	0.0043
SANF1	117833	15	1991 - 2005	26.7	-0.03	26.69	0.00	0.6199
SMKF1	154326	21	1988 - 2008	26.8	0.34	26.24	0.06	0.0000

Continuous Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Water Temperature

Station	N_Data	N_Years	Period of Record	Median	tau	SennIntercept	SennSlope	p
214	136333	18	2002 - 2019	26.52	0.27	25.84	0.07	0.0000
215	133286	16	2003 - 2018	26.74	0.26	26.42	0.05	0.0000
216	98535	17	2002 - 2018	26.26	0.31	25.86	0.06	0.0000
220	126033	17	2003 - 2019	26.52	0.25	25.94	0.06	0.0000
223	133082	18	2002 - 2019	26.89	0.3	25.84	0.08	0.0000
225	117692	17	2002 - 2019	26.82	0.32	26.32	0.06	0.0000
227	105351	17	2003 - 2019	26.67	0.29	26.06	0.08	0.0000
235	128499	18	2002 - 2019	27.14	0.28	25.77	0.08	0.0000
237	122250	18	2002 - 2019	26.38	0.31	25.74	0.09	0.0000
239	111523	17	2002 - 2018	26.92	0.24	25.96	0.07	0.0001
241	127914	18	2002 - 2019	27.26	0.27	25.91	0.09	0.0000
243	121593	18	2002 - 2019	26.62	0.3	26	0.07	0.0000
248	111702	18	2002 - 2019	26.79	0.31	25.54	0.08	0.0000
255	119939	18	2002 - 2019	26.35	0.24	25.73	0.07	0.0000
260	97832	16	2002 - 2019	27.07	0.28	26.22	0.08	0.0000
267	99735	18	2002 - 2019	26.57	0.24	25.64	0.05	0.0002
269	106458	17	2002 - 2019	26.74	0.2	26.02	0.05	0.0010
271	133627	18	2002 - 2019	26.92	0.26	25.77	0.07	0.0000
273	129817	18	2002 - 2019	27.16	0.24	26.16	0.05	0.0000
276	123833	18	2002 - 2019	26.87	0.21	26.15	0.05	0.0002
284	123977	17	2002 - 2019	26.86	0.28	25.14	0.09	0.0000
285	121423	18	2002 - 2019	26.86	0.25	26.17	0.07	0.0000
287	133008	18	2002 - 2019	26.87	0.29	25.84	0.08	0.0000
291	116240	18	2002 - 2019	26.38	0.26	25.72	0.09	0.0000
294	112348	18	2002 - 2019	26.92	0.27	25.52	0.09	0.0000
296	114497	17	2002 - 2019	27.36	0.21	25.45	0.07	0.0002
305	122296	18	2002 - 2019	26.43	0.22	26.07	0.06	0.0001
307	110802	17	2002 - 2019	26.74	0.22	25.73	0.07	0.0003
309	107410	18	2002 - 2019	27.85	0.27	26.07	0.06	0.0000
314	110686	18	2002 - 2019	27.41	0.23	25.63	0.06	0.0002
500	69048	8	2012 - 2019	27.33	0.23	26.79	0.12	0.0074
501	34805	5	2012 - 2018	27.48	0.11	27.55	0.05	0.6481
502	22765	4	2016 - 2019	26.70	-	-	-	-
503	7490	1	2016 - 2016	28.74	-	-	-	-
504	4339	1	2018 - 2018	29.84	-	-	-	-
506	35198	7	2012 - 2019	27.41	0.04	27.2	0.05	0.7350
507	47517	8	2012 - 2019	27.36	0.18	27.48	0.09	0.1213
508	24021	6	2012 - 2019	26.67	0.33	26.54	0.07	0.2949
509	38607	8	2012 - 2019	27.70	0.05	27.79	0.11	0.4739
SB	145514	19	2001 - 2019	26.34	0.23	25.9	0.06	0.0000

Continuous Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Water Temperature

Station	N_Data	N_Years	Period of Record	Median	tau	SennIntercept	SennSlope	p
Crocker	322670	10	2013 - 2022	27.32	0.15	27.07	0.03	0.0436
Molasses	140713	5	2009 - 2013	26.72	-0.03	26.61	-0.04	0.9247
Sombrero	459354	14	2009 - 2022	27.16	0.26	26.83	0.05	0.0000

Continuous Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Water Temperature

Station	N_Data	N_Years	Period of Record	Median	tau	SennIntercept	SennSlope	p
10	18268	3	2020 - 2022	27.72	-	-	-	-
11	228643	18	2003 - 2022	26.81	0.3	26.1	0.06	0.0000
12	138064	13	2008 - 2022	27.16	0.21	26.39	0.06	0.0020
14	223851	19	2002 - 2022	26.84	0.24	26.31	0.06	0.0000
15	212659	17	2006 - 2022	26.99	0.19	26.4	0.05	0.0006
18	44119	7	2016 - 2022	27.03	0.13	26.59	0.06	0.2890
21	55870	7	2016 - 2022	27.18	0.13	26.51	0.04	0.2228
22	171553	14	2009 - 2022	26.91	0.25	26.43	0.07	0.0000
23	113161	11	2012 - 2022	27.33	0.19	26.83	0.07	0.0111
24	111388	11	2010 - 2022	26.89	0.33	26.12	0.09	0.0000
25	117274	12	2010 - 2022	27.19	0.08	27.07	0.03	0.2669
26	142040	14	2009 - 2022	26.96	0.21	26.97	0.06	0.0024
30	116701	11	2012 - 2022	26.62	0.21	26.3	0.05	0.0055
32	223104	18	2003 - 2022	26.69	0.31	26.09	0.06	0.0000
33	38112	6	2016 - 2022	27.13	0.08	26.23	0.01	0.6585
34	274006	21	2002 - 2022	26.74	0.3	26.19	0.07	0.0000
35	217666	17	2006 - 2022	26.84	0.22	26.41	0.05	0.0000
36	192871	16	2007 - 2022	26.89	0.24	26.52	0.06	0.0001
37	52521	7	2016 - 2022	26.74	0.07	26.3	0.05	0.4651
38	256177	21	2002 - 2022	26.47	0.28	26.15	0.06	0.0000
39	33723	5	2018 - 2022	27.01	-0.09	27.6	-0.08	0.6877
40	244138	21	2002 - 2022	26.79	0.28	26.27	0.07	0.0000
50	103998	10	2013 - 2022	27.01	0.23	26.85	0.05	0.0035
51	222780	18	2003 - 2022	26.67	0.31	26.27	0.06	0.0000
52	188237	15	2008 - 2022	26.92	0.34	26.63	0.07	0.0000
53	179447	15	2008 - 2022	26.98	0.37	26.53	0.07	0.0000
54	130399	11	2012 - 2022	27.06	0.25	26.77	0.06	0.0002
55	225636	21	2002 - 2022	26.86	0.28	26.79	0.05	0.0000
56	175648	17	2006 - 2022	26.67	0.14	26.67	0.03	0.0187
57	187914	15	2008 - 2022	26.96	0.3	26.66	0.07	0.0000
58	72230	9	2014 - 2022	27.11	0.01	27.23	0.01	0.9631
59	191677	18	2002 - 2022	26.81	0.27	26.85	0.05	0.0000
60	150013	14	2009 - 2022	26.94	0.17	27.07	0.04	0.0094
61	54044	7	2016 - 2022	27.06	0.15	26.58	0.05	0.1513
70	104819	10	2013 - 2022	26.91	0.22	26.73	0.05	0.0044
72	188119	15	2008 - 2022	26.77	0.42	26.42	0.08	0.0000
73	179435	15	2008 - 2022	26.74	0.35	26.49	0.07	0.0000
74	130333	11	2012 - 2022	26.87	0.24	26.64	0.05	0.0005
75	144589	13	2010 - 2022	27.06	0.27	26.71	0.07	0.0001
76	168914	14	2009 - 2022	26.84	0.23	26.82	0.05	0.0002
77	188336	15	2008 - 2022	26.89	0.27	26.57	0.07	0.0000
78	87924	9	2014 - 2022	26.98	0.11	26.81	0.03	0.1925
79	175394	16	2007 - 2022	26.79	0.21	26.56	0.04	0.0006
80	167362	14	2009 - 2022	26.87	0.21	26.92	0.05	0.0005
81	53957	7	2016 - 2022	27.03	0.13	26.63	0.05	0.2247
83	130599	16	2006 - 2022	25.79	0.14	25.79	0.04	0.0106

Continuous Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Water Temperature

Station	N_Data	N_Years	Period of Record	Median	tau	SennIntercept	SennSlope	p
FKNMS_200YR_HD	44601	12	1998 - 2009	26.10	-0.1	26.45	-0.04	0.1720
FKNMS_7MILE_BR	73055	19	1991 - 2010	26.66	0.05	26.22	0.01	0.3549
FKNMS_9FT_SHOAL	80299	21	1990 - 2010	26.50	0	26.76	0	0.9917
FKNMS_ALLIGATOR	65144	19	1990 - 2010	26.55	-0.06	26.72	-0.01	0.2339
FKNMS_BHONDA_BR	77111	22	1990 - 2011	26.60	-0.02	26.67	0	0.6571
FKNMS_BOCA_GRND	73434	17	1990 - 2012	26.14	0.08	26.04	0.01	0.1662
FKNMS_BULLARD	66230	18	1992 - 2009	26.31	0.12	26.11	0.02	0.0313
FKNMS_CARD_SND	18249	6	2001 - 2006	26.52	-0.05	27.32	-0.05	0.7909
FKNMS_CARYSFORT	55001	16	1990 - 2006	26.40	-0.03	26.38	0	0.6354
FKNMS_DIEGO_TER	16693	5	2002 - 2006	25.58	-0.05	25.91	-0.03	0.8407
FKNMS_ELPIS	31035	8	2004 - 2011	26.35	0.06	25.9	0.04	0.5313
FKNMS_GRECIAN	51723	18	1990 - 2010	26.65	-0.03	26.48	0	0.6634
FKNMS_HARBORKEY	15407	5	1992 - 1997	26.50	0.14	25.74	0.14	0.3261
FKNMS_HEN&CHIX	72285	21	1989 - 2011	26.50	-0.01	26.35	0	0.8763
FKNMS_KW_CHANL	123578	18	1991 - 2012	26.27	0.1	26.11	0.02	0.0805
FKNMS_LONG_KEY	69656	19	1990 - 2010	26.64	-0.03	26.35	-0.01	0.5769
FKNMS_LOOE_BACK	84984	18	1990 - 2012	26.80	-0.06	26.6	-0.01	0.4216
FKNMS_LOOE_BUOY5	35252	10	1988 - 1998	26.90	0.05	26.86	0.02	0.3627
FKNMS_LOOE_ISELIN	194367	13	1999 - 2014	26.88	0.13	26.55	0.03	0.0801
FKNMS_MAITLAND	12421	4	2004 - 2007	26.07	-	-	-	-
FKNMS_MOLASSES	36146	13	1990 - 2002	26.70	-0.05	26.74	-0.01	0.4806
FKNMS_NEWGROUND	35329	12	1992 - 2006	25.49	-0.05	25.73	-0.01	0.5207
FKNMS_PILLAR	40805	11	1996 - 2006	26.24	0.02	26.04	0.01	0.9363
FKNMS_SAND_KEY	59287	18	1990 - 2010	26.70	0.05	26.46	0.01	0.3230
FKNMS_SMITH_SHL	94527	10	1998 - 2012	25.45	0.13	25.99	0.02	0.1933
FKNMS_SNAKE_CRK	56777	19	1989 - 2007	26.16	-0.06	26.33	-0.02	0.2771
FKNMS_SOMBRERO	48974	13	1991 - 2005	26.50	0.13	26.14	0.03	0.0508
FKNMS_SPRIGGER	41834	13	1992 - 2006	26.10	0.02	25.78	0	0.8553
FKNMS_TENN_REEF	63260	16	1990 - 2006	26.70	-0.06	26.22	-0.01	0.2738
FKNMS_WELLWOOD	30427	8	2002 - 2009	26.43	0	26.82	0	1.0000
FKNMS_WS_BUOY16	8123	3	2003 - 2005	25.99	-	-	-	-
FKNMS_WS_JACKYL	29557	9	1991 - 1999	26.40	0.17	26.96	0.06	0.0860
FKNMS_W_SAMBO	18786	6	1990 - 1995	26.90	0.09	26.16	0.03	0.5597

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

The data file used is: All_SAV_Parameters-2024-Feb-23.txt

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) refers to plants and plant-like macroalgae species that live entirely underwater. The two primary categories of SAV inhabiting Florida estuaries are benthic macroalgae and seagrasses. They often grow together in dense beds or meadows that carpet the seafloor. Macroalgae include multicellular species of green, red and brown algae that often live attached to the substrate by a holdfast. They tend to grow quickly and can tolerate relatively high nutrient levels, making them a threat to seagrasses and other benthic habitats in areas with poor water quality. In contrast, seagrasses are grass-like, vascular, flowering plants that are attached to the seafloor by extensive root systems. Seagrasses occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, including protected bays and lagoons as well as deeper offshore waters on the continental shelf. Seagrasses have taken advantage of the broad, shallow shelf and clear water to produce two of the most extensive seagrass beds anywhere in continental North America.

Parameters

Percent Cover measures the fraction of an area of seafloor that is covered by SAV, usually estimated by evaluating multiple small areas of seafloor. Percent cover is often estimated for total SAV, individual types of vegetation (seagrass, attached algae, drift algae) and individual species.

Frequency of Occurrence was calculated as the number of times a taxon was observed in a year divided by the number of sampling events, multiplied by 100. Analysis is conducted at the quadrat level and is inclusive of all quadrats (i.e., quadrats evaluated using Braun-Blanquet, modified Braun-Blanquet, and percent cover.”

Species

Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) is the largest of the Florida seagrasses, with longer, thicker blades and deeper root structures than any of the other seagrasses. It is considered a climax seagrass species.

Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) is an early colonizer of vegetated areas and usually grows in water too shallow for other species except widgeon grass. It can often tolerate larger salinity ranges than other seagrass species. Shoal grass is characterized by thin, flat blades, that are narrower than turtle grass blades.

Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) is easily recognizable because its leaves are thin and cylindrical instead of the flat, ribbon-like form shared by many other seagrass species. The leaves can grow up to half a meter in length. Manatee grass is usually found in mixed seagrass beds or small, dense monospecific patches.

Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) grows in both fresh and salt water and is widely distributed throughout Florida’s estuaries in less saline areas, particularly in inlets along the east coast. This species resembles shoal grass in certain environments but can be identified by the pointed tips of its leaves.

Three species of Halophila spp. are found in Florida - Star grass (Halophila engelmannii), Paddle grass (Halophila decipiens), and Johnson’s seagrass (Halophila johnsonii). These are smaller, more fragile seagrasses than other Florida species and are considered ephemeral. They grow along a single long rhizome, with short blades. These species are not well-studied, although surveys are underway to define their ecological roles.

Notes

Star grass, Paddle grass, and Johnson’s seagrass will be grouped together and listed as Halophila spp. in the following managed areas. This is because several surveys did not specify to the species level:

• Banana River Aquatic Preserve

• Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve

• Indian River-Vero Beach to Ft. Pierce Aquatic Preserve

• Jensen Beach to Jupiter Inlet Aquatic Preserve

• Loxahatchee River-Lake Worth Creek Aquatic Preserve

• Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve

• Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve

• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Maps showing the temporal scope of SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary by Program name.

Sampling locations by Program:

Map showing SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The point size reflects the number of samples at a given sampling site.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seagrass Monitoring Project - Program 296

N_Data	YearMin	YearMax	Collection Method	Sample Locations
4200	1996	2021	Braun Blanquet	40

Miami-Dade County DERM Benthic Habitat Monitoring Program - Program 4018

N_Data	YearMin	YearMax	Collection Method	Sample Locations
3565	1999	2022	Braun Blanquet	114
279	1999	2007	Percent Cover	67

The South Florida Fisheries Habitat Assessment Program (FHAP) - Program 4049

N_Data	YearMin	YearMax	Collection Method	Sample Locations
93173	2005	2022	Braun Blanquet	1136

South Florida Seagrass Fish and Invertebrate Assessment Network - Program 965

N_Data	YearMin	YearMax	Collection Method	Sample Locations
65538	2005	2011	Braun Blanquet	30

Median percent cover by species in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Linear mixed-effects models are applied to each species to produce species trends. The trendlines are then isolated and reproduced below for ease of viewing. The LME results are available in table form beneath the supplemental trendplot below.

SAV

Generalized additive models for each species in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Species must have at least 10 years of data to be evaluated.

Drift algae, Total seagrass, Attached algae, and Total SAV are excluded from the analyses.

Coral Reef

The data file used is: All_CORAL_Parameters-2024-Feb-23.txt

Coral